The Glass Castle

The Glass Castle (2005) by Jeannette Walls. The best, most readable, most enjoyable book I've read this past year. Walls' life defies belief, yet it is told with such clarity, such sly wit, that it cannot be denied. Her parents, both mentally unstable, are a wonder to read about. The Glass Castle of the title is a house which her alcoholic, genius father has designed and promised to build for the family some day. The house will be solar powered and made all of glass. Like so many other things her father promises her, the house never materializes. In fact, the fortunes of the family of six steadily decline over the course of the book, right up until near the end. There are so many astounding details of the life they lived together, that none can be singled out. If you love a good memoir, this is the book for you. Grade: A

The Book of Genesis Illustrated

The Book of Genesis Illustrated (2009) by R. Crumb. The famous counter-cultural comic book artist R. Crumb takes a stab at the first book of the Bible, with surprisingly illuminating results. Crumb has done extensive research and put a lot of care into trying to make these illustrations as true to the text of Genesis as possible. He also contributes a Commentary at the end which further explains the choices he has made in his drawings. It was the first time I ever read Genesis from beginning to end, and I found it very rewarding. Grade: A

The Hunger Games

The Hunger Games (2008) by Suzanne Collins. Katniss lives in District 12, one of the poorest parts of Panem -- the distant-future, post-Apocalyptic remnant of the United States. On the day of the "reaping," she volunteers to serve as a "tribute" in her young sister's place. What this means for her is that she will be called on to do battle with 23 other tributes in the Hunger Games -- games from which only one tribute will emerge alive. What follows is a vivid story, telling of Katniss' preparation for and participation in the Games. The Games are a trial analogous to the battles of gladiators in ancient Rome. Video cameras record every move and every word of the tributes, and the broadcast goes out to all the districts in Panem. Luckily, Katniss is by necessity an experienced hunter, and this gives her an edge. There are many twists and turns in the plot as the Games play out, and some of the deaths are gruesome and cruel. Though this book is designated as a Young Adult science fiction book, I think it is also suitable for adults who are looking for some easy reading entertainment. Grade: B+

Footnotes in Gaza

Footnotes in Gaza (2009) by Joe Sacco. This book tells a side to the story that Americans seldom hear -- the Palestinian side. It's gruesome to see the way (in Sacco's representation) the occupants of the Gaza Strip are mistreated and brutalized by their Israeli overlords. One particular incident is explored in this book -- the events of November, 1956, when hundreds of Palestinians were rounded up and shot dead by the Israeli occupiers. Sacco's book is sometimes a little awkward in its artwork, and his viewpoint is certainly slanted, but his sincerity is not in doubt. This book should make us rethink our blind support for the Israelis, who have been anything but benevolent occupiers to the Palestinians, who after all were the original occupants of the land now called Israel. Grade: B

PostSecret: Confessions on Life, Death and God

PostSecret: Confessions on Life, Death and God (2009) by Frank Warren. Confessions sent in on postcards to Warren's web site (actually, they are sent to his home address) are compiled and published in this volume. It's a popcorn book -- you'll want to leaf through it quickly, reading card after fascinating card. There's something seductive about people's confessions, and this book captures it in large part. It's very entertaining, but not terribly deep. Grade: B+